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US President Joe Biden gave his aides little notice before announcing his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, according to two sources. The decision came after a gruelling 48-hour period during which Biden analysed polling data that indicated his chances of winning were diminishing.
Despite telling many aides the night before that he would continue his campaign against Republican opponent Donald Trump in November, Biden had a change of heart after reviewing the poll data.He gathered his senior White House and campaign team for a call just before making his announcement public in a letter to the nation.
Biden, who was isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home after testing positive for Covid on Wednesday, spent most of the weekend contemplating the growing pressure from Democrats to withdraw from the race. He was joined by long-time senior aides Annie Tomasini, Steve Richetti, Mike Donilon, and Anthony Bernal, a top aide to first lady Jill Biden.
After making his decision, Biden read the letter he would soon release to his team on the call. “He read the letter to us and wanted us to understand his thinking. He said he had wrestled with it over the last 48 hours,” said one official. Immediately following the call, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients informed senior White House staff of the decision, which came as a surprise to most.
Biden’s choice was made within a few weeks following a catastrophic debate performance opposite Trump, which sparked concerns regarding the 81-year-old Democratic leader’s mental sharpness.
In the wake of the debate, Biden started to lose support to Trump in crucial swing states, leaving his campaign to navigate a narrow route to securing a second term.
Despite telling many aides the night before that he would continue his campaign against Republican opponent Donald Trump in November, Biden had a change of heart after reviewing the poll data.He gathered his senior White House and campaign team for a call just before making his announcement public in a letter to the nation.
Biden, who was isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home after testing positive for Covid on Wednesday, spent most of the weekend contemplating the growing pressure from Democrats to withdraw from the race. He was joined by long-time senior aides Annie Tomasini, Steve Richetti, Mike Donilon, and Anthony Bernal, a top aide to first lady Jill Biden.
After making his decision, Biden read the letter he would soon release to his team on the call. “He read the letter to us and wanted us to understand his thinking. He said he had wrestled with it over the last 48 hours,” said one official. Immediately following the call, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients informed senior White House staff of the decision, which came as a surprise to most.
Biden’s choice was made within a few weeks following a catastrophic debate performance opposite Trump, which sparked concerns regarding the 81-year-old Democratic leader’s mental sharpness.
In the wake of the debate, Biden started to lose support to Trump in crucial swing states, leaving his campaign to navigate a narrow route to securing a second term.
